Marine anchor and storage bracket



New, 24-, 12964 w. M. SARNS 3,158,128

ANCHOR AND STORAGE BRACKET Filed. Nova. 23, 1.962 3 Sheets-Sheet l WlLLiAM M. SARNS INVENTOR.

ATTY.

Nov. 24, 1964 Filed Nov. 25, 1962 MARINE W. M. SARNS ANCHOR AND STORAGE BRACKET WILLIAM M.

3 SheetsFShaeet, 2

SARNS INVENTOR.

ATTY.

Nov. 24, 1964 w. M. SARNS 3,158,128

MARINE ANCHOR AND STORAGE BRACKET Filed Nov. 23, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5| WILLIAM M. SARNS i 5O 53 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofice aisaias Patented Nov. 24, 164

MARINE ANCHGR AND STGEAGE BRACKET William M. Sarns, Rte. 2, Morley, Mich. Filed Nov. 23, 19fi'2, Ser. No. 239,635 (Ilaims. (13!. 114-210) This invention relates to the construction of marine anchors, and to brackets for securing the anchors in ready position on the deck of a boat. Operators of small craft recognize the necessity of maintaining the availability of adequate anchoring equipment for convenience and emergency, but the problem of securing the oddly-shaped and heavy device has always been difficult to solve. Lashing the anchor to some form of receptacle requires skill and time, if the lashing is to be both secure and readily releasable. towage below decks limits the emergency value of the anchor, and securing on the forward deck must allow for violentmovements of the boat in heavy weather. Many an anchor has been tossed out of a receptacle to crash down on varnished mahogany, or fall overboard.

This invention utilizes the characteristics of a release able anchor of the type described and claimed in my application Serial No. 92,604, filed on March 1, 1961, now Patent No. 3,045,633. In such a device, the dukes of the anchor are movably axially with respect to each other, with a cam system on the shank capable of separating the flukes against spring action. This movability is utilized by the present invention by providing a portion of a storage bracket disposed to be engaged. between portions of-the opposite liukes. As the handle'is pulled upwardly, the tendency for the flukes to separate facilitates the release of the anchor from its position on deck. The pinching action will maintain the position of the anchor until substantial forces are applied to it; and in one modification of the device, a detent system is incorporated which requires the actuation of the handle before the release of the anchor can be obtained. The retention of the anchor may therefore be either frictional or positive, according to the preference of the user.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation showing an anchor in the storage position on a bracket embodying the present invention, and also showing the optional use of a lashing for more permanently maintaining the storage position.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view or" the bracket shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the anchor in storage position, with the lashing omitted.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view showing the expanded or release position of the anchor, with the fiukes separated by the action of the cam system associated with the shank.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention incorporating a positive detent locking arrangement.

Referring to FIGURES 1-5, the anchor generally indicated at it includes the opposite flukes ii and i2 having the bearing portions 13 and 14, respectively, rotatably and slidably engaging the bolt 15. The compression spring 16 acts between the fluke i1 and the washer 17 secured by the nut 18 to establish a biasing action tending to urge the dukes 11 and 12 axially together. The fiukes are provided with central flanges as shown at 19 and 2t), and the offset portions 21 and 22, respectively, cooperate with the cam portions 23 and 24 on the shank 25 to separate the flukes against the action of the spring 16 as the shank 25 is rotated about its pivotal engagement on the bolt 15 with respect to the flukes ii. and 12.

The above description summarizes the functioning of the anchor described in my co-pending application referred to above.

While the primary function involving the separation of the flukes is to establish a releasability of the angular position of the shank with respect to the flukes, this action produces the separation of the flukes entirely as a lay-product utilized by the present invention for gripping and release from a storage bracket. The bracket itself is best shown in FIGURE 2, and is generally indicated at 26. The portion 27 of the bracket is adapted to receive the shank 25, and is generally U-shaped in cross section to provide retention against lateral displacement. Preferably, the side walls of the portion 27 are reduced in height as shown at 23 and 29 to expose the shank for manual gripping, and to facilitate the application of lashing indicated at 30 for relatively permanent storage. The arch 31 is provided for the passage of the lashing above the plane of the mounting surface 32.

The recesses 33 and 34 on the opposite sides of the bracket are positioned and formed to receive the offset portions 21 and 22 of the flanges 19 and 29. The engagement of these members will establish a locking against relative displacement in the direction of the shank 25. The thickness of the bracket between the inner surfaces of the recesses 33 and 34 is slightly greater than the normal distance between the flange portions of the anchor in the position shown in FIGURE 3. The spring 16 is continually urging the flukes to the minimum dimension between them, resulting in a clamping action being generated between the flange portions 19 and 2t) and the bracket. This may be applied either across the inner surfaces of the recesses 33 and 34, or against portions of the bracket opposite other parts of the flanges 19 and 2t).

Suitable mounting arrangements may include the extensions 35 and 36, with screw holes as shown at 37 and 38. At the opposite end of the bracket, thescrew hole 39 provides the third point of securing the bracket in a preferably three-point system. The bracket itself is preferably formed as a casting, and may be of practically any material.

Referring to FIGURE 5, a modified form of the invention is shown for providing a positive detent arrangement for maintaining the storage position of the anchor and the bracket. FIGURE 5 shows the release position of the anchor, involving an axial separation of the fiukes from the normal position. A spring equivalent to the spring 16 is normally partially exposed, but a major portion of its length is concealed within a counterbore in the fluke, resulting in the substantial concealment of the spring in the expanded position shown in FIGURE 5. The shank ll) is similar to the shank 25 in the previous modifications, and the flukes 41 and 42 are similarly equipped with journal portions 43 and 44 receiving the bolt 45 on which the washer 46 and the nut 47 are mounted. The flanges 48 and 4% are each equipped with a small detent projection shown at 59 and 51 for engaging the sockets 52 and 53, respectively, in the bracket 54. The expanded position illustrated in FIGURE 5 is similar to that in FIGURE 4, in which the shank 25 is swung upwardlyinto a position where the cams 23 and 24 induce an axial separation of the fiukes 11 and 12. If the handle is then swung down into the position shown in FIGURE 3, the flukes will move together, accompanied by a movement of the projections 5t) and 51 into the sockets 52 and 53, respectively. Without the provision of theseprojections, the retention of the anchor is entirely due to friction, and the anchor may be torceably pulled off the bracket without swinging the shank upwardly to induce separation of the fiukes. This is not possible in the FIGURE 5 modification, however, which results in a more positive retention. This selection between these modifications may be made as a matter of choice.

The bracket 54 is shown in. FIGURE 5 is similar. to the bracket Zdof the first form of the invention, except, for the provision of the recesses 52 and 53. These can be addedby a simple machine operation to convert the bracket 2:; to'the bracket 54,. The projections 56 and 51 may also be added to fiukes cast without them by drilling out the flanges 48 and 49 and inserting plugs so that portions extend. inwardly.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for, illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope orthe appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim, the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination with an anchor having a stock and fluke members on opposite sides of said stock, said fluke members being axially movable withrespect to each other responsive to the angular relationship of said fluke members to, said stock;

a support bracket having a portion receivable between said fluke members in the expanded. position thereof, and adapted to be gripped by said fluke members in a contracted position thereof,

said bracket having a bed for receiving said stock and an arch normally under saidstock for receiving lashing,

and also having recessed portions adjacent said fluke members preventing. movement thereof along saidbracket.

2. In combination with an anchor having a stock and fluke members on opposite sides of. said stock, said fluke members being axially movable with respect. to eachother responsive to the angular relationship of saidrfiuke members to said stock;

a support bracket having a portion receivable between said fluke members in the expanded position thereof, and adapted to be gripped by said. fluke members in a contracted position thereof,

said bracket having recessed portions. adjacent said fluke members preventing movement thereof along said bracket.

3. In combination with an anchor having a stock and fluke members on opposite. sides of said stock, said fluke members being axially movable with respect to each other responsive to the angular relationship of said fluke members to said stock;

a support bracket having a portion receivable between said fluke members in the expanded position thereof, and adapted to be gripped by said fluke members in a contracted position thereof,

said bracket having a bed for receiving said stock and an arch normally under saidstock for receiving lashing.

4. In combination with an anchor having a stock andv fluke members on opposite sides of said stock, saidfluke members being axially movable with respect to each other responsive to the angular relationship of said fluke members to said stock;

a support bracket having a portion receivable between said fluke members in the expanded position thereof, and adapted to be gripped by said fluke members in a contracted position thereof,

said bracket and fluke members having interengageable projection and socket means engage able in the contracted position of said flukes.

5. In combination with an anchor having a stock and;

fluke members on opposite sides. of, said stock, said fluke members being axially movable with respect to each other responsive to the angular relationship of said fluke mem-.

bers to said stock;

a support bracket having a portion receivable between saldfluke members inthe expanded position thereof,

and to be gripped by said fluke members in a contracted position thereof;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,845,039 Robbins July 29, 1958- 3,045,633 Sarns July 24, 1962 

5. IN COMBINATION WITH AN ANCHOR HAVING A STOCK AND FLUKE MEMBERS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID STOCK, SAID FLUKE MEMBERS BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER RESPONSIVE TO THE ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP OF SAID FLUKE MEMBERS TO SAID STOCK; A SUPPORT BRACKET HAVING A PORTION RECEIVABLE BETWEEN SAID FLUKE MEMBERS IN THE EXPANDED POSITION THEREOF, AND TO BE GRIPPED BY SAID FLUKE MEMBERS IN A CONTRACTED POSITION THEREOF. 